Pell team accuses magistrate of bias
CARDINAL George Pell’s legal team has accused a magistrate of bias and questioned whether a police probe into allegations he committed historical sexual offences was a “get Pell operation”.
They have also accused detectives of tunnel vision and being determined to charge Australia’s most senior Catholic despite evidence that might show the alleged offences didn’t happen.
Victoria Police began Operation Tethering in March 2013, targeting Cardinal Pell, now 76.
Barrister Robert Richter, QC, yesterday told Melbourne Magistrates’ Court that Tethering started as an operation looking for a crime when no crimes had been reported.
Detective Superintendent Paul Sheridan said it was an “intel probe” to see whether there were unreported serious crimes.
“Operation Tethering, that wasn’t a ‘get Pell’ operation was it?” Mr Richter asked.
Supt Sheridan responded: “I guess you could term it the way you did but I wouldn’t term it that way”.
Mr Richter also accused other police officers of “singlemindedly pursuing Pell”. Supt Sheridan said he did not accept that. Mr Richter also queried why police didn’t ask witnesses obvious questions to corroborate information linked to an alleged sex offence at a church.
“It would be horrible if they decided not to pursue an obvious line of questioning because he was afraid that the answer might destroy his case,” he said. “I’d agree with that,” Supt Sheridan replied.
The barrister then suggested “bombshells” from another complainant were impossible given the timeline of events.
During a legal argument with magistrate Belinda Wallington, Mr Richter accused her of bias. “I apply that your honour disqualify herself from further hearing this matter on the basis of a biased view of the evidence,” he said.
“Your application fused,” she replied.
Cardinal Pell denies the charges and is facing a committal hearing. is re-